The experienced midfielder discusses the battle for places at O’s and the competitiveness of the National League

Leyton Orient midfielder Alex Lawless is excited about the competition for places in the centre of midfield.

The 33-year-old struggled with hip and groin injuries last season, but has looked very fit in pre-season and impressed for the O’s.

He is battling with Charlie Lee and Craig Clay, plus potentially Jobi McAnuff, to start at Salford City on Saturday while new signing Dale Gorman played 45 minutes away to Greenwich Borough on Monday for an Orient XI which won 4-0.

It shows the fight for a central midfield berth will be fierce, but that’s a huge positive according the ex-Luton Town man.

“Charlie and I have a lot of experience and Craig as well to be fair,” said O’s number four Lawless.

“I think Charlie is great and it is like having a new signing. I played with him at the beginning of last season and it was really disappointing not to be able to play with him more (due to his injury).

“Now we have Dale and he is a very good player so it will be competitive, but we will all push each other on and we are all in it together and that is the main thing.”

Throughout pre-season a lot has been said about Orient’s togetherness and it is hoped it will give them the edge over other clubs who have made a plethora of signings and need time to gel.

Lawless echoed a similar message to boss Justin Edinburgh when he talked up how difficult every team in the National League will be this campaign.

He added: “There are lots of difficult games in this division and we played a few away games last season at the part-time teams and no one expects them to do well, but a couple of them are always a surprise team.

“There are some good players in this league and for whatever reason they are at the clubs they are, but we are more than aware of that.

“During pre-season we have played sides from the division below and it showed us how tough it will be.”